I’ve probably had a crush on Annette Funicello for as long as I can remember. Even at a young age, I began to recognize the massively awesome appeal of doe-eyed, curvy brunettes, one which has stayed with me until this very day. I mean honestly, was there ever a prettier actress than Annette in Babes In Toyland? I’m waiting…

I grew up watching so many of her movies. Many of them were staples on “Night Owl Movies with Big Wilson”. They became synonymous with summertime and carefree innocence. Mostly the Disney ones. I loved The Shaggy Dog, Merlin Jones, The Monkey’s Uncle, and of course all of those ridiculous “beach movies” that featured Frankie Avalon, endless gag humor, and evil motorcycle gangs. Always with the evil motorcycle gangs! And Paul Lynde, for some reason. Weird. Nonetheless, I was a fan. Her “Mickey Mouse Club” era was way before my time — I’m ‘only’ 42 folks — but she probably became ‘the first crush’ of an entire generation of guys ahead of me. Just ask Kenickie, after all…

In the late 70s and 80s, she became the spokesperson for Skippy peanut butter. These commercials were pretty popular, if I recall correctly. I only bring this up because in 1982 or ’83 they filmed one at my middle school. The school had to pick a dozen or so boys and girls from around my year to appear in the commercial, and I desperately wanted in. I mean, hardcore desperately. Naturally, I wasn’t picked. Crestfallen doesn’t even begin to describe it. But I remember watching the filming (from a distance) and thinking rather wistfully to myself that this was going to be the closest I’d ever get to Annette Funicello. It was still worth it.

Annette and Davy Jones in the classic cult film ‘Head’.

She basically disappeared from the public eye in the early 90s, after she was apparently forced to go public with details of her battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Sadly, her quality of life took a huge hit in the 2000s, losing her ability to walk and speak, requiring round-the-clock medical care by the final few years. Yet for so many, she will eternally remain the same vision she was when she shone her brightest. Something about her radiated youth, innocence, beauty, talent, and happiness. That’s the kind of immortality so few will ever achieve, and one towards which so many will endeavor.

RIP Annette. I’ll always remember you kind of as you were in The Monkey’s Uncle (seen here with The Beach Boys singing the movie’s theme song).